Kiwi Longshot Hope for Cup

Media Release - Monday November 4

Grant Cooksley came tantalisingly close to getting his hands on the Melbourne Cup as a jockey, and he is hoping to rectify that on Tuesday as a trainer when he lines-up Trust In You in the two-mile feature.

Th South Auckland horseman rode in several editions of the time-honoured race, including a runner-up performance behind Kingston Rule in 1990 aboard the Murray Baker-trained The Phantom.

Trust in You will run in the Melbourne Cup - Race Images

This week Cooksley, who trains in partnership with Bruce Wallace, will have his chance to go one better in the race courtesy of Group Three winner Trust In You.

The six-year-old son of Sweynesse, who won the Gr.3 Queen Elizabeth II Cup (2400m) at Pukekohe on New Year’s Day, heads into the Melbourne Cup in good form after finishing fourth in the Gr.1 Metropolitan (2400m) and Gr.3 St Leger Stakes (2600m) at Randwick in his last two outings, and Cooksley is hoping he can continue his rich vein of form on Tuesday.

“He is going along alright,” said an understated Cooksley. “The owners want him there and he has done well to get there. It is a good race with a good crowd. Hopefully he can go a good race, which he should do.”

Trust In You will be Cooksley’s first Melbourne Cup runner as a trainer, and he said there is a bit more pressure involved compared to being a jockey in the great race.

“You have got more to worry about when you are training them,” he said.

Trust In You will be ridden by former New Zealand-based jockey Mark Du Plessis, and is currently a $101 outsider for the Melbourne Cup with TAB bookmakers alongside fellow Kiwi hope Positivity, while Waikato stayer Sharp ‘N’ Smart is at $61.

Advertisement

While the A$8.6 million Melbourne Cup will be Cooksley’s main priority on Tuesday, back home in New Zealand he will have five representatives at Ellerslie.

Moving Melody has placed in her two starts this preparation after winning on debut back in June, and has been installed a $4 favourite for the Stella Artois 1100.

Cooksley has been pleased with how she has progressed and is expecting a bold showing on Tuesday from barrier one.

“Moving Melody should go well,” he said. “She had a bad draw last time and was ridden a bit too handy.”

Stablemates He’s Classic and Staphanos Queen will be vying to go one better than their last start runner-up performances when they contest the Champion 2YO Sword Of State (1400m) and SkyCity Horizon 1200 respectively, while Cooksley will also be represented by Son Of Sun in the Barfoot & Thompson 2400 and Shooting Stride in the Auckland Co-op Taxis 1600.

“He’s Classic had a little setback, so he might need the run, but he has been working well,” Cooksley said. “A mile-and-a-half should suit Son of Sun, we’ll find out tomorrow.” – LOVERACING.NZ News Desk

Advertisment
More Reading...
Inglis Ready 2 Race Entries Open
Entries for the Inglis Ready2Race Sale – Australasia’s most progressive 2YO Sale – are now open.
Frosty Girl impressive on debut
The Chris Waller-trained Frosty Girl made the perfect start to her career when coming from last to land the Asahi Super Dry Plate (1300m) on debut at Warwick Farm on Wednesday.
New SW Sweynesse - Trust in Me wins G3 QEII Cup
Ex-pat Kiwi jockey Jason Collett well and truly paid for a flying visit home from his Sydney base when he guided promising stayer Trust In You to a gritty victory in the Gr.3 Queen Elizabeth II Cup (2400m) on New Year’s Day.
Blueblood Import - American-Bred Jillaroo Records First Win
Purchased at the 2022 Keeneland September Yearling Sale by Ciaron Maher, the now 4yo mare Jillaroo (USA) (Curlin) initially started her racing career in the United States but after an Australian debut second at Caulfield in early May, recorded her maiden victory at Doomben.
Sires With Winners - Wednesday June 4
Here is the full list of 48 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Wootton Bassett 2YOs on the March
Wootton Bassett’s star Northern Hemisphere two year-old Albert Einstein has been ruled out of Royal Ascot with a sprained joint that will require a few weeks off, but the red hot sire added two more talented debut winning juvenile colts at The Curragh overnight.
Sires With Winners - Thursday June 5
Here is the full list of 36 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
A Passion That Lasts a Lifetime
A passion for pedigrees and thoroughbreds is often one that lasts a lifetime and so it has been for one of the co-breeders of Bravery, who contacted me this week following our earlier and very well read story on current 2YO star Cool Archie.
Breeding To Win - 2025 G1 Queensland Oaks
Unbeaten this preparation, Philia will be looking to emulate her half-sister Duais in winning the $1million Group I BRC Queensland Oaks (2200m) on Saturday, but a swarm of up and comers are nipping at her heels, so who are they?
Another Day, Another Stakes-Winner for Wootton Bassett
A homebred for Marc Chan, quality Wootton Bassett (GB) colt Green Impact closed out his juvenile season winning the Group II Champions Juvenile Stakes at Leopardstown and he bounced back into the winner’s list at the same venue overnight.